Crime
2-3 shots fired at Empire Mall in Sioux Falls, no injuries reported
No injuries were reported.
UPDATE: Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum provided updates regarding the shooting incident that occurred at the Empire Mall on Friday evening. According to Thum, authorities believe 2-3 gunshots were fired near the Zumiez store around 7:30 p.m.
While no injuries have been reported at the mall or local hospitals, police did recover shell casings at the scene, confirming that a shooting had taken place.
Investigators have identified a suspect, described as a teenage male between the ages of 13 and 17.
โThis is going to take time,โ Chief Thum stated during a media briefing. โThis appears to be an isolated incident involving a juvenile possibly making a decision with a firearm.โ
Chief Thum encouraged anyone who was present at the mall during the incident or who has information about the suspect to come forward and assist the investigation.
He also commended the swift response by mall staff and law enforcement, noting the challenges of managing the chaos as shoppers ran for cover and sought shelter throughout the mall.
Law enforcement officials continued clearing the mall late into Friday night, with officers conducting thorough sweeps of the premises. Plans were being made to increase security at the mall, although it was unclear when it would reopen on Saturday.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
An active shooter incident unfolded at the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls on Friday evening, prompting an immediate and coordinated response from emergency services.
Reports indicate that at least 3 shots were fired inside the mall, and three shell casings have been recovered at the scene.
Sioux Falls Police have confirmed that the shooter fled the scene and is currently at large.
A source speaking with Channel2 NOW shared that a friend revealed her brother was one of the individuals injured in the mall shooting. He is currently in critical condition and undergoing surgery.
A SWAT team has been deployed to assist with securing the area, and law enforcement officers are actively searching for the suspect.
All shops within the mall were promptly advised to shelter in place as a precautionary measure.
Customers and staff inside the mall were notified of the lockdown status and have since begun being evacuated in an orderly manner.
The Sioux Falls Police Department call log officially categorized the situation as an active shooter and weapons violation.
Authorities have established a substantial presence in the vicinity, with heavy police activity visible on 41st Street.
This is an ongoing investigation, and law enforcement is urging the public to avoid the area while they work to ensure safety and apprehend the suspect. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Sioux Falls Police Department immediately.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subjectโs vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorneyโs Office.